Tampa Bay Vipers Game Week One Game Notes at the New York Guardians (February 9)
Published on February 4, 2020 under XFL (XFL)
Tampa Bay Vipers News Release
FOR THE LOVE OF FOOTBALL
In January of 2018, XFL Founder and Chairman Vince McMahon announced the return of the XFL professional football league. McMahon's vision was to reimagine professional football by simplifying the game with more action and a focus on fan engagement. Two years later, the league nears its kickoff, with Feb. 8-9 serving as opening weekend. Teams in eight select markets - Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Washington D.C. - will offer exciting, fast-paced football at an affordable price during the spring. The regular season consists of a 10-game schedule leading up to a four-team postseason tournament with a common principle shared by players, coaches and fans: this is For The Love Of Football.
FLORIDA FAITHFUL
Of the Vipers' current 52-man roster, a staggering 22 players have Florida ties. 20 of those 22 players call The Sunshine State home -- ranging all the way from the Florida Panhandle down to South Beach. 14 Vipers attended college in the state of Florida across seven different universities in the state. The University of Florida boasts four graduates on the Vipers roster, followed closely by the University of Central Florida (three) and Florida State (three). Other represented colleges include Florida International (one), Florida Atlantic University (one), the University of Miami (one), and the University of South Florida (one).
STAYING LOCAL
Of the 22 players with Florida ties on the Vipers roster, five players have an even stronger connection to the Tampa Bay area. Vipers' starting quarterback Aaron Murray was born and raised in the Tampa area, even leading Plant High School to a Florida High School Football State Championship in 2008 en route to being named the Hillsborough County co-offensive player of the year and the Florida 4A Player of the Year...Vipers quarterback/running back Quinton Flowers is no stranger to the area, having enjoyed a record-breaking career at the University of South Florida. Flowers returns to his home turf of Raymond James Stadium, where he set or tied 42 USF records during his time with the Bulls...Vipers wide receiver Ryan Davis was born and raised just across the Howard Frankland Bridge in St. Petersburg.
Playing quarterback at nearby Lakewood High School, Davis still owns the Pinellas County all-time passing record with 6,760 yards...On the defensive side of the ball, defensive end Bobby Richardson and safety Robert Priester also have roots in the area. Richardson attended Plant High. Priester attended Robinson High School, where he was a star two-way player at wide receiver and defensive back.
SERIES NOTES: The Tampa Bay Vipers will travel to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 9 to take on the New York Guardians for the Vipers' first game. The two XFL East division rivals will meet again during the final week of the season when the Guardians travel to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on April 12.
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